Baptized with the Holy Spirit

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By Royce Frederick

Baptism with the Holy Spirit occurred twice in the New Testament (Acts 2 and 10; see 11:15).

Humans cannot baptize anyone with the Holy Spirit. A human is able to lower a person into water and immerse (baptize) him in water. But Jesus is the one with the power to baptize with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Acts 1:5).

Baptism with the Holy Spirit did not make men apostles. Before Acts 2, Jesus had appointed twelve disciples to be His apostles (Lk. 6:13-16).

Baptism with the Holy Spirit was not the moment when God forgave sin.AFTER the group in Acts 10 had been baptized with the Holy Spirit, Peter “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48). This baptism was in “water”(10:47) for the remission of sins — the same purpose explained by Peter in Acts 2, “...and let every one of you be baptized for the remission of sins…” (2:38; see 8:35-39; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; Rom. 6:3-4, 17-18).

Baptism with the Holy Spirit was not a command to be obeyed. Jesus told the apostles to simply wait for it to happen (Acts 1:4-5).

Baptism with the Holy Spirit came by surprise. In Acts 2, the apostles knew they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit, but did not know exactly when it would occur. In Acts 10, the Gentiles did not even know it would happen.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit was a complete “immersion” with the Holy Spirit. He overwhelmed the recipients.

In Acts 2, the preachers were baptized with the Holy Spirit. This removed prejudice against Jesus, which had been in the hearts of many hearers. They were amazed; they realized that this was a sign that God was with the speakers; the people listened; and they obeyed the gospel (Acts 2:6-8, 33, 38, 41).

In Acts 10, Gentile hearers were baptized with the Holy Spirit. This removed prejudice against Gentiles which had been in the hearts of the speaker and his companions, who were from the Jewish nation (Acts 10:28, 47; 11:1-4, 15-18). It was a sign that God would welcome Gentiles to obey the gospel and enter His kingdom.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit cleared the way for the apostles to use “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 16:19) — the gospel (Rom. 1:16; 6:3-5, 17-18; Col. 1:13). First Jews, then Gentiles obeyed the gospel and entered the kingdom. Thus, the kingdom was opened to all people of all nations! Jesus had foretold it and commanded it (Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:15-16).